Parishioners honor Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Paul Catholic Church

Parishioners of one lower valley church were up before sunrise to pay homage to the Virgin Mary Monday morning. Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church was one of several parishes to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe. December 12th commemorates the day the Virgin Mary appeared before Juan Diego, who was canonized as a saint in 2002, in Mexico City in 1531. Her appearance in Mexico resulted in millions of indigenous people converting to Catholicism. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit the shrine and church in Mexico City. Members of Danza de Espiritu Santo, also known as ‘matachines’ drummed and danced in a ceremonial performance to honor the Virgin Mary. Parishioners then prayed a rosary inside the parish followed by food and drinks.